LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Former University of Georgia star quarterback Matthew Stafford took home the title of NFL Most Valuable Player on Thursday night.
The 37-year-old Los Angeles Rams quarterback edged out New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye for the win from the Associated Press.
Stafford received 24 of the 50 first-place votes, while Maye got 23. The AP says this was the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003.
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To accept the award, Stafford brought his four daughters, all dressed in identical black-and-white dresses, to the stage.
Stafford thanked his team and saved his wife and daughters for last: โYouโre unbelievable cheerleaders for me. I appreciate it. I am so happy to have you at the games on the sideline with me, and I canโt wait for you to cheer me on next year when weโre out there kicking (butt).โ
It was Staffordโs way of announcing he will be back next season after contemplating retirement.
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A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began. Votes were tabulated by the accounting firm Lutz and Carr.
Voters selected a top 5 for the eight AP NFL awards. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards passing and 46 TDs. He threw eight picks and finished second to Maye with a 109.2 passer rating. Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams lost to Seattle in the NFC championship game.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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